Impact of Nurses’ Cultural, Professional and Personal Experiences on Genetic Conditions of Patients

Abstract

This study is aimed at finding out the impact of nurses’ cultural, professional and personal experiences on genetic conditions of patients. Cross-sectional analysis with a quantitative data collection system was used. A total of 170 nurses were selected to participate in the study, with 90 of them from Legon Hospital and 80 from Achimota Hospital. The instrument used for data collection was a 40-item questionnaire: 10 of the items covered demographic data, while the remaining 30 items were in the form of a Likert-type scale. The questionnaire was put into sections to conform to the research questions that guided the study. The items yielded an internal reliability coefficient of .802. The data were analysed using the One sample t-test of independence and the Linear Regression analysis. The results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between general knowledge on genetic conditions and general knowledge on genetic counselling. Furthermore, knowledge of genetic conditions and genetic counselling have significant influence on nurses’ attitude towards people with genetic conditions. Place of work also has an impact on nurses’ attitude towards people with genetic conditions.